n

n

nIzar was waiting for her outside the cottage. Daryn helped her sit on the saddle and mounted behind her. He wrapped his arms around her in a protective sheath.

nIt was getting darker by the minute. They started for the tunnel's entry point through the forest's winding path. The pixies had once again lit up the path.

"Only I am leaving? No one else?

" she asked. She thought that even Pia would go with her.

n

"Are you afraid darling?

"

n

"No! I thought that Pia would also leave with me.

"

n

"She is going to stay here for a day or two and then I think she will go. I haven't asked about Caleb's plans but at the moment I need all the help I can get,

" he replied.

n

"I can help you, Daryn,

" she said hoping to convince him.

n

"There is no argument,

" He snapped.

nDawn became quiet. His anger about the issue was rising and she didn't want to irk him anymore. They had argued about it and he had vehemently denied her request repeatedly. What he said wasn't wrong, but she didn't feel like leaving him. At the same time she didn't want to appear like an insisting petulant child. This was an important hour and he needed all the support.

nThey reached the mouth of the tunnel in silence. Daryn dismounted Izar. He gave the reins to Dawn and said,

"Izar knows the way back. Sleep on him and he will reduce his pace. But for the first half of your journey, go as fast as possible. As there wouldn't be anyone in the tunnel, he can run fast. When you reach the lake, take some rest and then carry forward.

" He patted a small bag that was tied on Izar's side.

"There is food in this bag. Eat it and stay hydrated.

"

n

"Daryn?

" she asked with a gentle voice and a soft expression.

n

"Yes, my dear?

" he asked. A lump rose in his throat.

n

"I am scared for you. Please take care of yourself otherwise I will constantly worry about you. And come back soon.

"

nHe pulled her torso down and kissed her lips. He pulled away too soon.

"I will darling. I will see you soon.

" There was agony in his voice.

"I love you,

" he said and kissed her hand.

nDawn swallowed hard as she fought back the tears in her eyes.

"I love you too, Daryn.

"

nShe turned her face in front before her vision became blurry. She didn't want to be someone who wouldn't be able to help him and be a burden.

nDaryn watched her as she held the reins.

"Are you ready?

"

nNo, she wasn't. She nodded. Daryn was sending her away to defend her. He was shutting himself from her. He kissed her hand again and she heard her heart breaking into two but it was Daryn who had slapped Izar's back.

"Go!

"

nIzar took off.

nDaryn watched her as Izar picked up the speed, the sound of his hooves clopping against the hard ground, echoed.

nDawn did not look back and pushed the bile back in her stomach. She held the reins tightly. As soon as they entered the tunnel, they were surrounded by the sparkling vines, roses and mushrooms. Her eyes became heavy and she leaned on Izar to sleep. She woke up with a start with water droplets falling on her. Rubbing her eyes, she looked around. She realized they were near the lake because the glow had dimmed. The droplets were still falling and she looked up. There was a small fissure in the ceiling. The mushrooms were grazed as if someone had tried to find their path through it.

nStrangely, she hadn't seen this when they were going to Ulfric.

nDawn watched everything keenly - her flight senses were heightened. Her face was etched with concern. She glanced around to see the reasons for the anomaly. Daryn had told her that they were growing on the ceiling for a long time and remained untouched. Why were they grazed? She stared at the ground to see if something was amiss. There was a fluttering in her stomach and her mouth fell open when she noticed that the ground had broken at several places. Small pits had formed and stones and debris were lying unaccounted. Her muscles stiffened. Was there someone else in the cavern besides her?

nIzar cantered as Dawn sat straight on him, keeping her chin up. It pulled up near the lake and Dawn got down. She checked the time. It had been almost five hours since she started. Opening the bag on Izar's side, she took the food that was wrapped in foils while Izar walked to the water trough. Sitting down near the shore, she looked around. The place was so silent that it was almost eerie.

nConcentrating back on the foil that was neatly wrapped, she peeled it and took out a bread loaf, blueberries, asparagus and minced meat. As soon as she started to eat, a low rumble beneath the ground made her jerk her head.

nThe Yardraks. Perhaps this was a regular thing.

nShe finished the loaf and started packing when once again the rumble was heard. This time it was associated with light clatter as if pebbles fell apart.

nThere was definitely someone.

nDawn rose from her place. Izar was now looking up as if he too had heard the sound.

nShe twirled around to see what it was, but nothing untoward came in her view. Everything was in its place. Moments later the clattering stopped. The stillness of the air seemed to suck it and the place was bereft of noise, as if the air had stolen every sound.

nDawn was about to go back to Izar when from the distance came a series of heavy clatter. It was the sound of pebbles and large rocks that were striking against each other. At first it appeared to have come from the outside and then from beneath the ground. In a few moments the noise was coming from all directions. It got closer and louder and then suddenly, about fifty feet away from her, the ground exploded. The grey debris spouted upwards and some landed in the lake almost half way towards her. The noise reverberated in the cavern.

nDawn squealed and ducked as Izar neighed wildly on his hind legs. He ran to Dawn to protect her. Wide eyed, she held his reins to calm him but he shuffled back and nudged Dawn with his nuzzle to leave the place.

"Calm down, calm down.

"

nWhen the debris settled, Dawn looked up. Her eyes widened at what she saw in front. A man no taller than her waist was standing in the middle of the deep pit that was formed because of the explosion. The dwarf removed debris from his bald head. His skin was pale. His chest was broad and he wore a jacket made from brown animal fur over black braise. A belt was strapped over his waist on which a dagger hung loosely. He looked at Dawn with irritation in his eyes. In a gruff voice he said,

"Yakhz dâan recessus.

"

nDawn blinked at him rapidly. A dwarf!

"Who are you?

" she asked in a hoarse voice ready to shift and tear him in pieces.

nThe dwarf climbed out of the pit with difficulty. He brushed his sleeve to remove the dust and walked towards her.

"Grax phęnius Ulfric. Why did you leave Daryn alone?

" He circled past the lake.

nDawn's mouth fell to the floor. How did he know Daryn? She stumbled back to increase distance between them.

"Who are— who are—

" she forced a squeak out.

n

"I am Nusgroth,

" said the dwarf. He stopped about twenty feet away from her.

"Why have you left Ulfric?

" he asked, tilting his head.

nNot able to believe what she was seeing, Dawn's mind became numb. Izar was standing right beside her. His body was tense and if that man got any nearer, he was ready for an attack.

n

"Gayle is in trouble and so is Daryn,

" said Nusgroth.

"You must go back and help them Dawn.

"

n

"How do you know me?

" she breathed out. Her skin lined with goosebumps thinking about whatever storm was about to break in the Ulfric.

n

"We know everything about you,

" Nusgroth said.

"Dorargrolic Fladk, dragon rider.

"

nDawn's eyes bulged. He knew about her dragon? Anxiety washed over her body and she couldn't fight the sensation of going back to him. It was like an ominous, dark shadow that loomed inside her, that she had committed a grave mistake by leaving him alone in the lurch.

n

"If you won't go, his life would be in danger,

" said the dwarf and turned to go back.

n

"Wait!

" she shouted from behind.

"How do you know about my— my—?

"

nNusgroth spun around and in a deep voice said,

"Use everything, every power you have in your possession when you go back to Ulfric. There are dark forces, which you can't see.

" He paused and snapped,

"I was asked to send you this message. I have done my work.

" He walked back towards the pit.

nHer lips were wobbly. Did he mean Quetz?

n